Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Russia accept full responsibility for a plane crash on December 25 that killed 38 people. The incident, involving an Azerbaijan Airlines flight, has increased diplomatic tensions between the two nations despite their close ties.
The Crash and Its Tragic Outcome
The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243 departed from Baku and was heading to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. During its approach to land, the plane reportedly came under fire from Russian air defense systems. This forced the flight to divert to Kazakhstan, where it tragically crashed near Aktau. The accident claimed the lives of 38 of the 67 people onboard.
Most victims were Azerbaijani citizens, while others came from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Aviation experts believe electronic jamming disrupted the plane’s GPS, leading to a collision with shrapnel from Russian missile defenses.
Russia’s Response and Aliyev’s Accusations
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences and apologized to Azerbaijan. He acknowledged that Russian air defense systems were responding to Ukrainian drone attacks when the crash occurred. However, he stopped short of admitting that Russian missiles directly caused the downing of the plane.
President Aliyev criticized Russia’s initial handling of the incident. He accused Moscow of a “cover-up” and dismissed alternate explanations like a gas cylinder explosion or a bird strike. Aliyev described these theories as “foolish and dishonest.”
Although Aliyev accepted that the crash was accidental, he insisted Russia must admit its guilt, punish those responsible, and compensate Azerbaijan and the survivors.
Diplomatic Demands
On December 29, Azerbaijan issued formal demands to Russia. These included an official acknowledgment of guilt and reparations for the incident. President Aliyev emphasized that, although Russia had apologized, it had not yet fulfilled all of Azerbaijan’s demands.
Aliyev also expressed dismay that such an incident could happen in a country considered an ally. He stated, “No one would have thought that in a country friendly to us, our plane would be fired at from the ground.”
Honoring the Victims and Heroes
Azerbaijan has paid tribute to the passengers and crew who perished. The pilots and flight attendant who sacrificed their lives while saving 29 passengers received posthumous honors. Their actions have been recognized as heroic amidst the devastating loss.
The crash has strained Azerbaijan-Russia relations and highlighted questions about accountability and regional security. President Aliyev’s firm stance reflects Azerbaijan’s resolve to seek justice while mourning the victims.
